Keen to help your dog be the best they can be?
…but not sure where to start?
Keen to help your dog be the best they can be?
…but not sure where to start?
Professional training for pet and sports dogs, online and in Dunedin, Otago, NZ.
Are you keen to build a connection and train your dog, but not sure how to go about it?
So much innocence! But without an education you’re staring big problems in the face…
Maybe you’ve already been to classes, gone down internet rabbit holes, and had advice from everyone and their mother? Now your brain is so stuffed with conflicting information you don’t know which way is up.
What if someone could give you the bigger picture…
Forget recipe-training and spot-fixing individual problems; those methods don’t work in the long run. Like playing “wack-a-mole” just as you think you’ve dealt with one annoying habit, a new one pops up!
However, for your dog to thrive in our human world, education is a must. So how do we go about it?
Building your connection, one click at a time…
…Because a great connection starts with great communication
At its heart, training is about you and your dog understanding each other.
My focus is on building a strong connection between you and your dog; providing tailored solutions and emphasising clear communication between both ends of the lead.
The training methods I use are force free, pain free and a whole heap of fun for everyone. Learning shouldn’t be a drag for either you or your dog. A dog’s life is too short to waste your time together being miserable!
Sound like your thing? Come and join me in exploring the amazing world of teaching dogs.
Yep, we’re training!
But clicker training is only good for teaching tricks – not ‘proper’ dog training!
Using a whistle as a marker to train dolphins to come when called
Clicker training (or marker training, as it’s technically known) is just a method of communicating with your learner. As long as your learner (in this case your dog) can actually DO what you’re trying to teach, it works extremely well.
It’s used extensively in zoos across the world to teach undomesticated animals to accept care and veterinary procedures.
It’s also used to teach many assistance dogs, guide dogs and military dogs to perform high level tasks where reliability is a must.
Marker training is even used for teaching people – it’s called TAG teach.
So why wouldn’t you use it to teach your dog?
“I really wanted to let you know that I have been following your blog and I totally love how you present exactly the kind of info I so desperately sought when Tosca was a baby dog…
You are spot on in terms of the back story you provide and how you wrap your message into the context of life not just training – especially the perspective that every dog is different and it’s never linear or straight forward – wish I’d found you back then.”
“I love your blog. It is one of the highlights of my dog owning life.”
Free downloadable guide to get you started
When we first get a dog we think of training: teaching our new best friend things like ‘come when I call you’, ‘sit’ ‘walk nicely’ or tricks.
And those things are important. However, more important, in my experience, is how we set up the environment and how we behave with our dog every moment they’re awake.
Dogs are learning whenever they’re not sleeping; and what they learn in that time will have far more impact on their day to day behaviour than the few minutes spent in ‘training’ sessions.
So, do your dog and yourself a favour: read this booklet I’ve prepared for you (it’s only 23 pages). Don’t try to fix established problems later – take positive steps to prevent problems now!
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO TODAY?
Do you have a pre-work routine? No? Here’s why you need one.
I have a young dog just starting his experiences of trial environments. He's NOSY! He's distracted! He has testicles that frequently override his brain cells! However, somehow despite all this, I have to teach him, nicely, that offering to work with me is a great...
Self Directed Learning
Online Learning
Happiest learning in your own time and own way? We have an online course to give you solid foundations and teach you what you need to know to get started.
If you’re new to dog training and you want to get it right from the start, this is the way to go!
Train with Sarah
One-to-one training options
Maybe your schedule doesn’t fit? Or groups aren’t your thing? Private training might be just the answer.
Want to get the foundations right but would like some guidence? I can walk you through from beginner to advanced.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO TODAY?
Do you have a pre-work routine? No? Here’s why you need one.
I have a young dog just starting his experiences of trial environments. He's NOSY! He's distracted! He has testicles that frequently override his brain cells! However, somehow despite all this, I have to teach him, nicely, that offering to work with me is a great...
Self Directed Learning
Online Learning
Happiest learning in your own time and own way? We have an online course to give you solid foundations and teach you what you need to know to get started.
If you’re new to dog training and you want to get it right from the start, this is the way to go!
Train with Sarah
One-to-one training options
Maybe your schedule doesn’t fit? Or groups aren’t your thing? Private training might be just the answer you’ve been looking for.
Want to get the foundations right from the start but would like some guidence? I can walk you through from beginner to advanced.
I had high hopes when my black poodle arrived. I had goals and dreams…
However, it’s a very grounding moment in agility when your dog leaves the ring to sniff, or worse! When you call him and he leaves again and again. So I pushed him – and he pushed back: nothing seemed to work. I was so frustrated! I also didn’t like the person I was becoming when training my boy. Something had to change.
When we train on our own I’m afraid we tend to believe we are better than we truly are. This was the case for me. Just because I had two other dogs doing well I thought I knew what I was doing. I’d had a lot of luck. I’m afraid my luck ran out when I got Ace. He was a very different dog than my previous two; much more independent and a challenge for me to control.
All my emotions were wild
I remember my first session with Sarah like it was yesterday. I felt quite anxious about getting private lessons. What if I embarrass myself and she laughs at me or my dog? What if my dog toilets inside? All my emotions were wild. It’s funny to laugh about it now. Wasn’t funny at the time!
However, at our first session all my doubts in myself went away. Sarah greeted me with a smile and Ace wagged his tail like a mad thing. We decided this was a good, safe place to be.
There were quite a few “oh bugger” moments
We discussed what I hoped to get out of these sessions with Sarah. We put together a plan to get us started. We still make plans which we review regularly. I like to have a clear direction of where I’m heading; helps me stay on track and not get lost.
We started slowly. When Sarah came into the picture she explained why I was having so many problems; why this stuff was happening. We worked out where the holes in my training were. There were quite a few “oh bugger” moments.
The thing about dog training, there’s always more to learn and understand. My regret is that I didn’t go to Sarah and start learning earlier. Saying that, it’s never too late to start.
Me and Ace understand each other now
I’m not a great listener so working with me can be a challenge for a trainer. It doesn’t seem to worry Sarah. She takes challenges like me in her stride .
Sarah doesn’t judge me; she just shows me a positive way to train with far better results. I’m lucky I found someone who I respect and who treats me well; never looking down on me, just wants me to get the best from my black poodle boy, Ace.
I arrived at HotDogs K9 Training as a cross, reactive trainer and believe, with help from Sarah, I’m changing into a kind, proactive trainer. Me and Ace understand each other now and enjoy our training much more.
I had someone come up to me the other day and say “Wow! What a nice, well-behaved dog.” I smiled and said “Thank you”. It felt so good.
Why train with HotDogs?
‘Dog’ training is really all about You; the dog’s learning is almost secondary. We’ll train your dog as well, but you’ll be learning as much as they do – if not more. When you work with me you’ll discover a whole new take on ‘dog training’. Not a set of generic recipes for ‘sit’, ‘heel’ or ‘stay’, but the real tools you need, and the know-how to apply them effectively.
And the ‘secret’ key to success? I teach you how to read your dog – because the better you understand your dog, the better you can communicate with them. Effective training is a dialogue, not a monologue!
Getting inventive about muzzle training. Only the best will do!
…without Sarah’s guidance I don’t think we could have successfully helped Tui learn the ways of the world so well.
You gave us the tools to navigate our way to sanity.
Sarah – you are an excellent instructor with obvious skill in this area. You are generous in sharing your knowledge and I look forward to us working together some more!
